“Ah! that’s better,” said His Royal Highness, with a sigh of relief, when he was quite solid. “How do you feel, my dear?” he asked, turning to the Princess, who, however, could not answer him yet, as only the upper part of her head had appeared at present; she waved her hand, though, to show that she was all right.
“I’m sure we are very much obliged to you,” said the Prince graciously to Boy. “How did you know we were here?”
And then Boy had to tell them all about his visit to Zum and the extraordinary events which had been happening since he had been there.
“And you are quite sure that my son is all right?” inquired the Prince anxiously.
Boy explained how he had sent him to Drinkon College under the charge of the Nurse and One-and-Nine.
And the Princess, who had by this time quite recovered her voice, thanked him over and over again for all that he had done, and after arranging that the Portmanteau should be sent to the King of Limesia the next day they determined that it would be best for them to go back to Zum that very night.
So the Prince’s horse was saddled, and with the Princess on a pillion behind and Boy on a pony which belonged to the little King they rode back through the gathering darkness to Zum.
All was quiet when they reached the Palace, and Boy led the way through the private entrance. King Smith had not yet retired to rest and came forward when he heard them enter. He recognised the Crown Prince at once, and hastily tearing off his own crown and cloak, bowed low and welcomed him back to the Palace.
“It is indeed a good thing for Zum, Your Highness, that you have returned,” he said, “for things could not possibly have gone on like this much longer. I am sure there is not a King in the place who will not feel it a pleasure to abdicate in favour of Your Highness.”
“Thanks!” remarked the Prince. “Now can we go to my own suite of rooms, or have they been altered during my long absence?”